Jason Black- BIO
Born and raised on Chicagos South Side, the middle child of three. The product of a Chicago Public school teacher and a Hustler/Chicago Firefighter. Grew up in a household ripe with musical influences. Upbringing began with both parents, his maternal grandmother and music. There were always records playing with the latest from The Isley Bros., Stevie Wonder and later Michael Jackson to name a few. These musical influences would later shape the mind of Jason more than he ever knew. As he was growing older so was the culture of hip-hop/ rap. Citing Public Enemy, The Geto Boys, Rakim and N.W.A. as early inspiration. Attracted to the raw grit of their music and the real time stories that seemed 2 parallel some of the things he would be exposed to on the streets of Chicagos Southside. The gangs, drugs and violence that had become all to common place. Its easy now to see why early on rap was banned from his parents household.
I would have to hide my Geto Boys and N.W.A. tapes I got off 55th under my mattress (next to my Jet beauty of the week pictures) or under dressers or in vents to keep my mother from destroying them. Public Enemy, Fresh Prince and Kris Kross were allowed because she felt they werent too aggressive or violent with their lyrics and songs and their subject matter was age appropriate for a young man, her young man. I respected and loved their music but at the same time it didnt totally reflect what I was seeing and experiencing on the streets and when I hung out. Being a parent she was trying to shield me and do differently than what she did with my older brother, who had no problems getting into trouble in the streets. I needed to know their world and had a deep attraction to their style, word play and how much they represented their neighbor hoods and cities with their vivid stories. Needless to say I jumped in head first.
He began writing rhymes and saying them during lunchtime at school and with his friends around the neighborhood. He made it his business to stay current with all the newest and latest rap and hip hop. I would know the words to everything, and could recite lyrics from your favorite artist at the drop of a hat. He continued his passion and drive but as time passed he put his love for hip hop and music on hold because it was as Notorious B.I.G. said It was all a dream He began focusing more on sports and drawing and as he reached his junior year in high school the streets. Then as he felt the itch to start back to trying his hand at music and making bootleg tapes off the radio and rapping to the beats, his best friend John Henry was murdered. Everything stopped. This was 1995
Fast forward to 2001 years had passed and the dream was put on the back burner but he continued writing and thinking of slick things to say. During the summer of that year he was approached by some new associates who were working on some music out of a make shift household studio. They asked if he was interested in getting on a song they were working on. The song was titled South Side. This was the opportunity he had been looking for. I had never did any real recording, I would rap over Tupac and Ice Cube beats on my computer but had no real flow or knowledge of counting bars and making a song. But I was NOT going to turn this down. They gave me the beat and I took it home and began listening to it over and over again Every day! And just let the thoughts flow. I began writing with no idea how long the verse should be or what I should say, I just put out what felt right. Little did I know it would be the catalyst to unlock the lyrical beast inside of me.
They would continue to work together for a while before creative differences caused them to continue on different paths. Jason began working with local underground artist and producers, such as Genius Productions, Beadz, B-20 of Green Bread Entertainment, 4th Quarter and 1Take and Street View Entertainment. Along with his close friends and associates. And while receiving his B.A. in Visual Communications finished his first solo CD titled Black HIStory Vol.1 in August of 2005. And never looked back. The self titled Beast Of The Chi calls himself a rappers rapper and is currently independently distributing his 1st mix-tape completed in May of 2006 titled Jackin 4 Beats Vol. 1. A compilation of freestyles and covers of favorite industry tracks, along with album tracks. The response on the streets has been nothing but love. These days you will find him performing at local night clubs & working on his second album.
1/1/07 Update: "BLACK HIStory Vol.2: The Evidence" Is completed, ready 2 eat and being served DAILY! effective 11/07/06
NEW MIXTAPE SUMMER 07HMYNGVDRBTCH!
